Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 200: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide funding for flood relief measures (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37151/10]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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The embankments in the Fergus system fall into three categories (a) those which the OPW has a statutory duty to maintain in accordance with the Arterial Drainage Acts, (b) those forming part of the Fergus Drainage District and (c) those that were, in the past, the responsibility of the former Land Commission.

In relation to category (a), the OPW carries out inspections of these embankments and, where maintenance works are considered necessary, they are undertaken as part of the Office's annual programme of maintenance works.

Maintenance of the embankments forming part of the Fergus Drainage District is the responsibility of Clare County Council. However, OPW has recently agreed in principle to fund, on a once-off basis, the refurbishment of a section of these embankments, which impacts on the OPW Flood Relief Scheme in Ennis. It is proposed that the work will be undertaken as part of a single project that will also include mitigation measures for Ballybeg and St. Flannan's. Clare County Council have indicated that a tender competition for the design of this project has been initiated, and they hope to appoint consultants during November 2010.

As regards category (c), it would be open to Clare County Council to submit applications for funding for mitigation works to these embankments under the OPW Minor Works scheme. If applications are submitted that meet the eligibility criteria of the scheme, they will be considered, having regard to the overall availability of funding for flood risk management.